Tethered golf ball apparatus



July 26, 1955 Filed June 20, 1952 B. H. NOLAND TETHERED GOLF BALL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Z8 INVENTORA 5,4270/V h. mam/v0 BY W B. H NOLAND TETHERED GOLF BALL APPARATUS July 26, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1952 IN VEN TOR. 54E7'0/V H. A/OL/l/VD y 6 1955 B. H. NOLAND 2,714,009

TEI'IHEIRED GOLF BALL APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 77 fl/lzroxv 7/. A/oLxM/D BY Q l 76 W TETHERED GOLF BALL APPARATUS Barton H. Noland, Hollywood, Md.

Application June 20, 1952, Serial No. 294,592

13 Claims. (Cl. 273-200) My present invention relates generally to game apparatus, and has particular reference to a tethered ball apparatus.

It is a general object of my invention to provide an improved device in which a ball, such as a golf ball, is attached to the end of a retrieving line in such a way that the ball may be driven or propelled by a player in substantially the usual manner, while the retrieving line affords a means for bringing the ball back to the player after the drive has been completed.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the drum upon which the retrieving line is wound is so mounted and arranged with respect to a rewinding motor and other parts of the apparatus that the line imposes a minimum resistance to the flight of the ball. This is achieved by winding the line on the drum in a relatively loose criss cross pattern, and by mounting the drum in such a Way that it lies with its axis in substantial alignment with the direction of propulsion of the ball whenthe ball is driven, whereby the line pays off the end of the drum as it follows the ball in its flight. As a result, the ball travels almost as far as it would in ordinary free flight, and in any case it travels through a sufiicient distance to simulate actual play to a satisfying degree. In this respect, the present apparatus distinguishes from, and is an improvement upon, devices in which the driving impact upon a ball manifests itself only in readings on dials or indicators, or in an abortive flight through a relatively short distance.

One of the important features of the invention resides in the provision of means whereby the drum is moved bodily between a paying off position in which the axis is in the direction of ball propulsion, and a re-winding position at right angles thereto. in the re-winding position, a rotation of the drum on its axis, by means of a rewinding means which is preferably in the form of an electric motor, speedily restores the retrieving line to its wound condition upon the drum. 7

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision of a line guide which is reciprocable alongside the drum, and parallel to the axis of the drum, during the re-winding procedure, and which is enabled to swing away from the drum into a completely inoperative position when the drum is moved into the paying off position.

An important objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is so simple to use that it is entirely practical, permitting the player to devote his attention and interest to the hitting of the ball, with a minimum of distraction from the operation or control of the retrieving apparatus. The present invention has been so designed that, except for the actuation of a main switch (preferably one which the playercan operate with his foot), no operating procedures of any kind arerequired of the user. In accordance with my invention, the throwing of a main switch serves automatically to move the drum into re-winding position, to swing the line guide into operative position, and to render a re-winding motor effective. Moreover, upon completion of the winding 2,714,009 Patented July 26, 1955 operation, the main switch itself is automatically rendered ineffective, and this results not only in discontinuing the re-Winding process but also in swinging the line guide into an inoperative position and in restoring the drum to its paying off position.

While the invention is primarily directed to an apparatus for retrieving a golf ball, it will be understood that tethered balls or missiles of other kinds might be employed, if desired. Moreover, from a broader aspect, the invention relates more generally to the art of winding and reeling; and certain features of the invention are applicable to apparatus generally, in which a line is to be wound on a drum or reel, and paid off from it.

One embodiment of the invention is illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the features of my invention, with the drum shown in rewinding position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, similar to Figure l, with the drum in paying-01f position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view with the drum in the paying-off position, showing its general relation to the tethered ball when the latter is about to be hit;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional detail view substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the drum in its paying-off position, as viewed from the right of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus, with the drum in rewinding position;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view, looking at the drum from the right of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of the clutch between the motor and the drum, as seen from above in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view substantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view of one of the circuit switches, in the direction 16-10 of Figure 3;

Figure 11 is a view, from the front, of the control arm shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing the relationship of the parts when the ball has been retrieved;

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail substantially along the line 13l3 of Figure 6; and

Figure 14 is a diagram of the electric circuit.

In the embodiment herein chosen for illustration of the invention, the parts of the apparatus have been shown mounted upon a substantially horizontal base plate 20. It will be understood that the manner in which the several elements of the apparatus are secured to the base plate in proper relationships to one another is a matter of choice and design. The various supports shown in the present drawings are therefore intended to be merely illustrative. Furthermore, it will be understood that the apparatus may be mounted, if desired, within a suitable enclosure which would conceal the several parts from view, and thus protect them, and which would be provided with a suitable aperture or opening through. which the retrieving line would extend.

The drum 21 is mounted for rotation on an axial spindle 22 which is suitably journaled at the rear end of the drum within a vertical supporting plate 23. The drum is slightly tapered toward its forward end, and the retrieving line 24 is wound upon it in a relatively loose criss cross pattern.

The free end of the line 24 passes through the opening or aperture 25 formed in the upstanding movable control arm 26 (Figure 11) and is secured at its extreme end to the ball 27. The control arm 26 is pivotally secured, as at 28, to the base 20, by means of a hinge which permits the arm 26 to pivot between the normal upright position shown in Figure and the rearwardly inclined position shown in Figure 12.

The plate 23 upon which the drum 21 is mounted is itself mounted for swinging movement about a vertical axis. This axis is adjacent to one side edge of the plate 23, so that the plate may swing from the position shown in Figure 1 into that shown in Figure 2, and back again.

The swinging axis may be provided by means of a pin 29 which is secured to a framework consisting of spaced parallel uprights 30. A spring is provided for normally urging the plate 23 into the position of Figure 2. One way of arranging for such a spring action is to mount a coiled spring 31 on the pin 29 itself (Figure 6), one end of the spring being anchored in the adjacent upright 36, the opposite end bearing against the plate 23.

When the drum is in the paying-off position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, the ball 27 can be teed up adjacent to the apparatus, as indicated in Figure 3, and driven by the player in the direction of the arrow. This direction of propulsion is in alignment with the drum axis, and during the flight of the ball the line 24 pays off the drum with a minimum of resistance. When the ball is to be retrieved, the drum is swung into the rewinding position shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7, and is rotated about its axis to efiect a rewinding of the line 24. The parts of the apparatus that accomplish this, and the manner in which the line guide operates to lay the line upon the drum in the desired criss cross pattern, will now be described.

An electric motor 31 is provided with a shaft 32 extending forwardly into the space between the uprights 30. Mounted on the shaft 32 is a worm 33 which drives the worm wheel 34 journaled between the uprights 30. On the shaft 35 upon which the worm wheel 34 is mounted there is a clutch element adapted to cooperate with a corresponding clutch element on the rear end of the drum shaft or spindle 22. I have chosen for illustration the type of clutch in which the end of the worm wheel shaft 35 is provided with pins 36 extending radially in opposite directions (Figures 8 and 9), and in which the drum spindle 22 is provided with a pair of longitudinally projecting pins 37 arranged in diametric opposition so that the pins 36 may interlock with the pins 37 as indicated in Figure 9.

When the drum is in the rewinding position, with the clutch elements 3637 in engagement, an energization of the motor 31 will rotate the drum on its axis, in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 7, to bring about a rewinding of the line 24.

The swinging movement of the drum-supporting plate L 23 from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure 1 is brought about by an electro-magnetic device which I have chosen to show in the form of a solenoid 38. This solenoid may be of any well-known type, and the details have therefore not been shown. The core 39 of the solenoid moves from the projecting position shown in Figure 2 to the retracted position of Figure 1 when the solenoid is energized. Secured to the end of the solenoid core 39 is a cable 40 which extends around the narrow part 41 of a spool mounted for rotative movement about a vertical axis 42. A cable 43 extends from the periphcry of the wider spool part 44 to the edge of the plate 23 opposite the hinge or pivot 29. To avoid breakage due to shock, a coil, spring 45 may be interposed, if desired, between the end of the cable 43 and the plate 23.

The cables 40 and 43 may be composed of a single length, the intermediate part of this length being anchored in the spool to which the cables extend. In operation, however, the cables 40 and 43 function independently. The parts 41 and 44 of the spool are so designed as to diametric size, that the angular movement imparted to the spool by the retractive movement of the solenoid core 39 is just suficient to draw the cable 43 into the position of Figure 1 and thereby pull the plate 23 into substantially parallel proximity to the adjacent upright 30.

As will be pointed out, the solenoid 38 and the motor 31 are arranged in series in an electric circuit, so that when the circuit is closed the drum is not only swung into the rewinding position but is also rotated on its axis; and when the circuit is broken the motor is rendered ineifective and the de-energization of the solenoid 38 permits the spring 31 to swing the plate 23 (and with it the drum 21) from the rewinding position to the payingofi position.

Whenever the plate 23 is drawn in by the cable 43, the clutch elements 36 and 37 automatically engage with each other. Similarly, a disengagement takes place when the plate 23 and the drum 21 swing back into paying-off position.

The line guide consists of a post provided with the bifurcated part 51. The post 50 is secured to a rod 52 which is mounted for longitudinal reciprocation within a sleeve 53. The arm 50 projects transversely from the rod 52, through a longitudinal slot 54 in the sleeve 53.

The rod 52 is reciprocated through a chain of gears driven by the shaft 35. A large gear 55 mounted on the shaft 35 meshes with the relatively smaller gear 56 (see Figure 4). The gear 56 is mounted on a shaft 57 which carries a worm 59. The latter drives a worm wheel 63 mounted on a vertical shaft 61. This shaft carries a crank 62, and the end of the crank is linked by the short connecting rod 63 to the end of the rod 52.

The sleeve 53 within which the rod 52 reciprocates is itself mounted for rotative movement through approximately 90. To permit this rotation, the sleeve may be journaled in spaced bearing 65. The rotative movements of the sleeve 53 are controlled, at least in part, by the swinging movements of the plate 23. One way of accomplishing this is to clamp a pair of transversely projecting elements 66 and 67 to the sleeve 53, as by means of a clamp 68. Cooperating with the elements 66 and 67 are the two arms 69 and 70 of a U-shaped cam carried by and projecting from the lower part of the plate 23. The cooperation of the parts is best indicated in Figures 5 and 7. The arm 69 of the cam encounters the projecting element 66 when the plate 23 is swung from the position of Figure 5 into that of Figure 7, as a result of which the sleeve 53 is swung through 90 and thus carries with it the line guide 50. Similarly, when the plate 23 swings from the position of Figure 7 to that of Figure 5, the arm 69 encounters and engages the projecting element 67 to initiate the rotative movement of the sleeve 53 in the opposite direction. The completion of this movement results from the engagement of the arm 70 with the projection 66.

When the post 50 is in the substantially horizontal position shown in Figures 2 and 5, the line guide is in an inoperative position. When it is in the upright position of Figures 1, 6 and 7, it is in an operative position, and the reciprocating movements result in laying the line 24 upon the drum 21 in criss cross fashion.

It will be noted that the upper ends of the forked part of the line guide are curved into opposite directions extending lengthwise of the drum axis when the latter is in the rewinding position. These oppositely extending ends result in guiding the line 24 into the forked part of the line guide when the latter is swung upwardly from the inoperative position of Figure 5 to the operative upright position of Figures 6 and 7.

In Figure 14 I have shown the electric circuit diagrammatically. The circuit is arranged in series with a suitable source of electric power (not shown), and the connection to the power source may be accomplished by any usual connector plug. In the circuit there is a main switch which is provided with a spring (not shown) urging the switch into circuit-opening condition. An entirely independent switch 76 is also arranged in the circuit, but is spring-pressed into a normal circuit-closing condition. The spring 75 is shown in Figures 1 and 6, and is preferably of a character which can be actuated by the foot. For this purpose, the control part of the switch may assume the form of a pivoted projecting part, as indicated. Pressing down upon this part will close the switch, and by releasing the foot the switch will return to its normal condition. The other switch, 76, is indicated in Figures 1, 3, l0 and 12. The reference numeral 77 is applied to a projecting part which is urged outwardly by a spring (not shown) and which normally tends to maintain the switch in circuit-closing condition. The part 77 is arranged directly behind the control arm 26, prefer ably in continuous contact with the latter.

Upon the completion of the rewinding procedure, the retrieved ball 27 encounters the arm 26 and moves the latter from the position of Figure to that of Figure 12.

In doing this, it moves the switch part 77 against the action of the switch spring, and brings about an opening of: the electric circuit.

It will thus be observed that after the ball has been driven by the player, all that is required is that the player step upon the switch 75. This will automatically swing the drum into rewinding position, swing the line guide into operative position, and render the motor 31 effective to rotate the drum and to reciprocate the line guide. When the ball has been retrieved, its encounter with the control arm 26 will bring about an automatic breaking of the electric circuit. At this time, foot pressure on the switch 75 can be released. When the circuit is broken, the drum will swing immediately into paying-off position, the line guide will be automatically moved into the outof-the-way inoperative position, and the player can immediately tee up the ball for the next drive.

It will be readily understood that many of the structural details herein described and illustrated are optional and of no material significance. will thus be enabled to modify these details in a number of respects without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis, and a clutch between the motor and drum to allow disconnection when the drum moves into the paying-off position.

2. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis to effect rewinding of the line, a clutch between the motor and drum to allow disconnection when the drum moves into the paying-01f position, and means for automatically rendering the motor ineffective upon completion of the rewinding.

3. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball,

a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis to elfect rewinding of the line, means for rendering the motor effective and ineffective, and means operable to move the drum into rewinding position when the motor is effective and to move the drum into paying-off position when the motor is ineffective.

Those skilled in the art 4. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a

drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis to effect rewinding of the line, a clutch between the motor and the drum, means for rendering the motor effective and ineffective, and means operable to move the drum into rewinding position and to connect the clutch when the motor is effective and to move the drum into paying-0E position and to disconnect the clutch when the motor is inelfective.

5. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a rewinding means and a control element for selectively rendering it effective or inelfective,

a spring for continuously urging the drum into paying-off position, and electromagnetic means automatically operable when the rewinding means is effective for swinging the drum against the urgence of said spring into the rewinding position and retaining it there.

6. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a payingotf position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, an electric motor for rotating the drum on its axis to effect rewinding of the line, an electric circuit for said motor, a main switch in said circuit for selectively energizing and de-energizing the motor, and a means independent of said main switch for breaking said circuit upon completion of the rewinding, said independent means comprising a switch having a movable control arm arranged to be encountered and moved by the ball itself when it is retrieved.

7. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached,

' a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a payingotf position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a rewinding means, a line guide reciprocable alongside the drum and parallel to the drum axis for laying the line on the drum in a loosely wound criss cross pattern, and mechanism actuated by said rewinding means for reciprocating said line guide.

8. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a payingoff position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a rewinding means, a line guide reciprocable alongside the drum and parallel to the drum axis for laying the line on the drum in a loosely wound criss cross pattern, said line guide being mounted for swinging movement between operative and inoperative positions, and means operable upon movement of the drum into paying-01f position for swinging said line guide into inoperative position and upon movement of the drum into rewinding position for swinging said line guide into operative position.

9. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line fastened to it, a drum for said line, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a spring urging the drum into paying-off position, an electric circuit, electromagnetic means in said circuit for moving said drum against the urgence of said spring into rewinding position, an electric motor in said circuit forv rotating the drum on its axis, to eflect rewinding, a main switch for selectivelyclosing and opening said circuit, whereby rewindingof' the line and retrievance offthe ball takes place when the circuit is closed, and a second switch for independently'opening said circuit upon completion of'the rewindingv procedure, said'se'cond switch comprising a movable control arm provided with an apertured part through which the line passes, said part being encountered and movable by the retrieved ball itself. to

open the circuit thereby rendering the motor and the electromagnetic means ineffective and allowingthe drum to return to paying-out position.

10. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising. a golf ball, aretrieving line to the end'of which theball isiattached, a drum upon which saidline is wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily m vement between a payingoff position in. which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotatingthe drum onits axis to efiect'rewinding of the line, and means for automatically rendering the motor ineffective upon completion of the rewinding, said'last-named means comprising a movable control arm provided with an. apertured part through which the line passes; said partbeing adapted to be encountered by the retrieved ball and thereby moved, and means controlled by said movement of said arm for rendering .the motor inefiective.

11. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end'of which the ball is attached, a drumupon which said line is wound, means for mounting the drum' for bodily movement between a payingoff position in which the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis to effect rewinding of the line, and means for automatically rendering the motor ineffective upon completion'of the rewinding, said last-named means comprising an electric circuit for said motor, a" switch in said circuit including a movable spring-pressed element normally in a circuit-closing position, and a movable arm engaging said switch element and provided'with an aperture through which the line passes, said arm being adapted to-be encountered by the retrieved ball and moved by til the latter to move said switch element into a circuitopening position.

12. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line to the end of which the ball is. attached, a drum upon which saidline is-wound, means for mounting the drum for bodily movement between. a payingofi position inwhich. the axis is substantially aligned with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewinding position at right angles thereto, a motor for rotating the drum on its axis to etiectrewinding of the line, means for rendering the motor efiective and ineffective, and means operable to move the drum into rewinding position when the motor is effective and to'move the drum into paying-off position when the motor is ineffective, said last-named meanscomprising a pivoted drum support, yieldable means for urging said support into payingott position, an electric circuit for the motor, and'a magnetic means controlled by said circuit for pivoting said drum support into rewindingposition.

13. A tethered-ball apparatus comprising a golf ball, a retrieving line tothe end'of'which the ball is attached, a drum upon which said line is wound, means including a pivoted drumsupport for mounting the drum for bodily movement between a paying-off position. in which the axis is substantially aligned. with the direction of ball propulsion and a rewindingposition at right angles thereto, a spring constantly urging said pivoted drum support into paying-oi? position, a motor for rotatingthe drum on its axis to effect rewinding of the line, an electric circuit for the motor including a switch controlling the closing and opening of said'circuit and thereby rendering the motor effective and ineffective, and means operable upon actuation of said switch to close the circuit for moving the drum into the rewinding positionagainst the urgence of said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,697. Westman- Jan; 11, 1944 2,580,777 Hewlett Jan. 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 458,663 Great Britain 1936 OTHER REFERENCES Mutt and Jeff by'BudFisher, published in' The Sunday Star, Washington; D. (3., April 10; 1949; 

